*note: PGOTY = Pivotal Game of the Year
Coastal Division
1. Georgia Tech 10-2 7-1
could this be the year Tech avoids losing a game it clearly should win (see Duke last year)? We shall see...expecting a loss at Clemson and either at ND or home vs the Cesspool
PGOTY: at Notre Dame, September 19...I normally don't like picking an out of conference game for the PGOTY but this year I think the game at South Bend will say a lot about Tech's season (note, don't confuse the PGOTY with the most important game of the season which is and always will be the one right after Thanksgiving in my mind)
2. Pittsburgh 7-5 5-3
this Panthers team has the greatest upside in my opinion of being much better than I am predicting them...much depends on their improvement on the defensive side of the ball...they certainly have one of the best defensive coaches on hand now in HC Narduzzi
PGOTY: at Georgia Tech, October 17...if the Panthers can get past the Hokies 2 weeks earlier and then take care of the French at home on the 10th, this game could loom huge in deciding the ACC Coastal...Pitt gets Tech in an advantageous scenario as they are sandwiched between Tech games against Atlantic powers and southern rivals Clemson & FSU
3. Virginia Tech 7-5 4-4
another team who with some offensive improvement could be much better than I am predicting them here...I'll believe it when I see it though
PGOTY: home vs NC State, Friday, October 9...the Pack is a darkhorse and dangerous team in the Atlantic...lose this game at home and the Hokies could potentially be something like 3-3 overall with their next game at Miami...can't afford to lose a home conference game...the Hokies have been miserable against the Atlantic Division the last 3 seasons (1-5)
4. North Carolina 8-4 4-4
technically I am expecting a tie for 3rd at 4-4 with the Hokies but I'll give VPI&SU the nod ahead of them as I expect the Hokies will defeat the Tar Holes head-to-head in Blacksburg...I think UNC will be very good offensively, but I doubt Chizik will turn their D around miraculously in his first year...UNC is still hurting from loss of scholarships so depth is an issue
PGOTY: at Pittsburgh, Thursday, October 29...a case can be made for their ACC opener at Ga Tech on Oct. 3rd, but even if they lose that one as I expect they will they could (should?) be something like 6-1/2-1 when they head to Heinz Field for the nationally televised ESPN Thursday game...a win in Pittsburgh sets the stage for a legit run at the Coastal title...the Tar Holes have not appeared in the ACCCG ever and haven't won an ACC title since 1980...with potential significant probation looming, they might not have too many more chances coming up in the next 5 years
5. Miami 6-6 3-5
early games at home against Nebraska and at Cincy before the Canes enter their ACC schedule will tell a lot...they have a brutal conference schedule - like Ga Tech - having to face both Clemson and FSU cross-division...Al Golden's behind will be extremely warm by late October in my opinion
PGOTY: at Cincinnati, Thursday, October 1...like GT I hate to set a non-conference game as the PGOTY but I think the tough roadie at Cincy will have an effect on the psyche of this Canes team...depending on what they do at home against Nebraska in Week 3, this game could provide a chance at a perfect 4-0 OOC record and some significant momentum heading into Tallahassee the following week to kickoff the ACC season OR it could be trying to avoid a 2-2 start and potentially 2-3 with a loss at FSU and the wheels coming off in south Florida by the midway point to the season
6. Duke 7-5 3-5
just too many major contributors to replace...Duke falls back some this year, but I have great respect for the job Cutcliffe has done and is doing in Durham...Duke qualifies for another bowl
PGOTY: home vs Ga Tech, September 26...can Duke duplicate their win a year ago in Atlanta against a revenge-minded Yellow Jackets bunch...this time at home?...a win over the Jackets vaults Duke into the favorite role immediately and provides a legit shot at the Blue Devils opening the season 6-0 before having to travel to Blacksburg in late October (read: Duke will be ranked in the top 20 most likely given that scenario)
7. Virginia 4-8 2-6
I admire UVa's pursuit of an extremely challenging schedule...this team will drive a lot of opponents crazy...will definitely be one of the best teams that ends with a losing record in the nation...they went 5-2 at home last year and only lost 1 game where they were beaten badly...still though, they have too many big timers to replace on defense that carried them last year
PGOTY: at North Carolina, October 24...there is a decent chance the French are 3-3 when they venture down the road to Chapel Hole...behind this game they have to host GT then travel to Miami and Louisville...a loss at UNC could spiral their season down the toilet quickly...UNC pulled out a late miraculous win at Scott Sisson Stadium last year so I expect this old rivalry game to go down to the wire again as usual
ACC Championship Game: Georgia Tech over Clemson
Clemson will win a high-scoring affair during the regular season at Death Valley between these two and then Tech will return the favor with a high-scoring affair victory in Charlotte...Tech will be denied a chance at the CFB Playoffs as the ACC will be snubbed
Coastal Division
1. Georgia Tech 10-2 7-1
could this be the year Tech avoids losing a game it clearly should win (see Duke last year)? We shall see...expecting a loss at Clemson and either at ND or home vs the Cesspool
PGOTY: at Notre Dame, September 19...I normally don't like picking an out of conference game for the PGOTY but this year I think the game at South Bend will say a lot about Tech's season (note, don't confuse the PGOTY with the most important game of the season which is and always will be the one right after Thanksgiving in my mind)
2. Pittsburgh 7-5 5-3
this Panthers team has the greatest upside in my opinion of being much better than I am predicting them...much depends on their improvement on the defensive side of the ball...they certainly have one of the best defensive coaches on hand now in HC Narduzzi
PGOTY: at Georgia Tech, October 17...if the Panthers can get past the Hokies 2 weeks earlier and then take care of the French at home on the 10th, this game could loom huge in deciding the ACC Coastal...Pitt gets Tech in an advantageous scenario as they are sandwiched between Tech games against Atlantic powers and southern rivals Clemson & FSU
3. Virginia Tech 7-5 4-4
another team who with some offensive improvement could be much better than I am predicting them here...I'll believe it when I see it though
PGOTY: home vs NC State, Friday, October 9...the Pack is a darkhorse and dangerous team in the Atlantic...lose this game at home and the Hokies could potentially be something like 3-3 overall with their next game at Miami...can't afford to lose a home conference game...the Hokies have been miserable against the Atlantic Division the last 3 seasons (1-5)
4. North Carolina 8-4 4-4
technically I am expecting a tie for 3rd at 4-4 with the Hokies but I'll give VPI&SU the nod ahead of them as I expect the Hokies will defeat the Tar Holes head-to-head in Blacksburg...I think UNC will be very good offensively, but I doubt Chizik will turn their D around miraculously in his first year...UNC is still hurting from loss of scholarships so depth is an issue
PGOTY: at Pittsburgh, Thursday, October 29...a case can be made for their ACC opener at Ga Tech on Oct. 3rd, but even if they lose that one as I expect they will they could (should?) be something like 6-1/2-1 when they head to Heinz Field for the nationally televised ESPN Thursday game...a win in Pittsburgh sets the stage for a legit run at the Coastal title...the Tar Holes have not appeared in the ACCCG ever and haven't won an ACC title since 1980...with potential significant probation looming, they might not have too many more chances coming up in the next 5 years
5. Miami 6-6 3-5
early games at home against Nebraska and at Cincy before the Canes enter their ACC schedule will tell a lot...they have a brutal conference schedule - like Ga Tech - having to face both Clemson and FSU cross-division...Al Golden's behind will be extremely warm by late October in my opinion
PGOTY: at Cincinnati, Thursday, October 1...like GT I hate to set a non-conference game as the PGOTY but I think the tough roadie at Cincy will have an effect on the psyche of this Canes team...depending on what they do at home against Nebraska in Week 3, this game could provide a chance at a perfect 4-0 OOC record and some significant momentum heading into Tallahassee the following week to kickoff the ACC season OR it could be trying to avoid a 2-2 start and potentially 2-3 with a loss at FSU and the wheels coming off in south Florida by the midway point to the season
6. Duke 7-5 3-5
just too many major contributors to replace...Duke falls back some this year, but I have great respect for the job Cutcliffe has done and is doing in Durham...Duke qualifies for another bowl
PGOTY: home vs Ga Tech, September 26...can Duke duplicate their win a year ago in Atlanta against a revenge-minded Yellow Jackets bunch...this time at home?...a win over the Jackets vaults Duke into the favorite role immediately and provides a legit shot at the Blue Devils opening the season 6-0 before having to travel to Blacksburg in late October (read: Duke will be ranked in the top 20 most likely given that scenario)
7. Virginia 4-8 2-6
I admire UVa's pursuit of an extremely challenging schedule...this team will drive a lot of opponents crazy...will definitely be one of the best teams that ends with a losing record in the nation...they went 5-2 at home last year and only lost 1 game where they were beaten badly...still though, they have too many big timers to replace on defense that carried them last year
PGOTY: at North Carolina, October 24...there is a decent chance the French are 3-3 when they venture down the road to Chapel Hole...behind this game they have to host GT then travel to Miami and Louisville...a loss at UNC could spiral their season down the toilet quickly...UNC pulled out a late miraculous win at Scott Sisson Stadium last year so I expect this old rivalry game to go down to the wire again as usual
ACC Championship Game: Georgia Tech over Clemson
Clemson will win a high-scoring affair during the regular season at Death Valley between these two and then Tech will return the favor with a high-scoring affair victory in Charlotte...Tech will be denied a chance at the CFB Playoffs as the ACC will be snubbed
